Reviews

This is a very long book that has two plot lines. The first follows the birth, life and death of twins, Marion and Jamie Graves. Their father, a ship's captain saves the twins from his sinking ship, but as a result of the sinking he is disgraced and imprisoned for negligence. The twins are sent to live in Minnesota with their father's brother. His neglect leaves them living almost feral lives. Marion schemes to escape and to live an independent life, one such dream being to fly aeroplanes and this she succeeds in doing. She becomes a fearless and inspirational aviator, almost a fictional Amelia Earhart. During prohibition she is transporting alcohol across the Canadian/American border.
The second plot concerns a young actress, Hadley Baxter, who has been cast to portray Marion in a film. Hadley's career is stuttering, her life is a mess and she hopes that this film will not only revive her career but also give some purpose to her life. As she learns of Marion's story so she finds hope.
The culmination of the novel is Marion's attempt to circumnavigate the globe.
Of the two strands to this book I found the story of Marion the most interesting, despite some of the more difficult themes that Shipstead describes. There were well developed and interesting characters in her story, the pace and tension produced in Marion's story was good and together with the multiple settings in the USA, wartime England and Europe, New Zealand and Alaska, it is understandable why this book was nominated for so many different book prizes. However, like some other reviewers I too found the parts where the story reverted to Hadley and her soul searching to be slightly tedious and I skim read certain parts in order to return to Marion's story.
The ending was highly satisfactory and despite being over 600 pages long I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Recommended.

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4.0

This novel is an expansive, ambitious work that doesn't just aim for the skies but seemingly soars through time and space as well. At its core, it's a narrative anchored by two compelling women: Marian Graves, an intrepid aviator in the early 20th century, and Hadley Baxter, a modern-day Hollywood actress set to portray Marian in a biopic.

First off, Shipstead's craft of character development is exceptional. She breathes life into Marian and Hadley, giving them dimensions and complexities that make them leap off the page. Marian, with her unquenchable thirst for freedom and unwillingness to be tethered by societal norms, is an electric presence. Hadley, facing the gilded cage of stardom, provides a fascinating counterpoint.
You feel as if you're not just reading about these women, but rather living their highs and lows. Lines like "I was born to be a wanderer" from Marian echo with a restless energy that defines her.
The settings in "Great Circle" are meticulously crafted, ranging from Prohibition-era Montana to wartime London, and even the icy expanses of Antarctica. Shipstead's prose is so vivid, you can almost feel the frostbite or the thud of boots on a wooden plane floor. Each locale isn't merely a backdrop but acts as a character itself, influencing the lives and decisions of the protagonists. This deeply rooted sense of place adds another layer of richness to the narrative.

Now, let's talk about the structure. The novel could easily have been a sprawling, disorganized epic given its scope. Yet, Shipstead masterfully weaves two timelines, allowing them to echo and interact with each other in meaningful ways. You're given just enough of one story to whet your appetite before diving into the other, creating a tantalizing pacing that makes this hefty tome surprisingly hard to put down.

However, it's not a book without its challenges. While the intertwining stories add layers of complexity and depth, they also demand a high level of engagement from the reader. The plot isn't just intricate. It’s wildly dense with detail, requiring you to pay close attention to catch the nuances. Additionally, because it covers so much ground—both literally and metaphorically—the novel occasionally runs the risk of spreading itself too thin, particularly when delving into secondary characters.

Yet, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise outstanding piece of literature. "Great Circle" is an experience. It's a work that asks big questions about freedom, destiny, and the inexorable pull of our dreams. And in the hands of Maggie Shipstead, you're more than willing to buckle up for the journey, no matter where it takes you.